Fishery conservation and management: Caribbean, Gulf, and South Atlantic fisheries— Gulf of Mexico reef fish,

[Federal Register: December 17, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 242)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 70678-70679]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr17de99-46]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[I.D. 120699A]

RIN 0648-AK96

Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 17

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of availability of Amendment 17 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico; request for comments.

SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 17 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. Amendment 17 would extend the commercial reef fish vessel permit moratorium for 5 years to December 31, 2005. The current moratorium is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2000. The purpose of the moratorium is to provide a stable environment in the fishery for evaluation and development of a more comprehensive controlled access system for the entire commercial reef fish fishery.

DATES: Comments must be received no later than 5 p.m., eastern standard time, on February 15, 2000 at the appropriate address or fax number (See ADDRESSES).

ADDRESSES: Written comments must be mailed to the Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702. Comments may also be sent via facsimile (fax) to 727-570-5583. Comments will not be accepted if submitted via e-mail or Internet.

Requests for copies of Amendment 17, which includes an environmental assessment and a regulatory impact review, should be sent to the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 3018 U.S. Highway 301 North, Suite 1000, Tampa, Florida 33619-2266; phone: 813-228-2815; fax: 813-225-7015; e-mail: Gulf.Council@noaa.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael C. Barnette, NMFS, 727-570- 5305, fax 727-570-5583, e-mail Michael.Barnette@noaa.gov.

[[Page 70679]]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) requires each Regional Fishery Management Council to submit a FMP or amendment to NMFS for review and approval, disapproval, or partial approval. The Magnuson- Stevens Act also requires that NMFS, upon receiving an amendment, immediately publish a document in the Federal Register stating that the amendment is available for public review and comment.

Amendment 4 to the FMP, as approved and implemented by NMFS on May 8, 1992, initiated the moratorium on the issuance of new commercial reef fish vessel permits, which was intended to last for 3 years. It was subsequently extended twice, the second of which was in 1995 for a duration of 5 years terminating on December 31, 2000. The Council and NMFS deemed the moratorium necessary to moderate short-term future increases in fishing effort and to stabilize fishing mortality while the Council considered a more comprehensive effort limitation program for the reef fish fishery. During the moratorium, the Council developed an individual transferable quota system for red snapper. However, before it was implemented, Congress prohibited individual fishing quotas (IFQs) under sections 303(d) and 407 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The current Congressional prohibition of IFQs will lapse on October 1, 2000.

The Council intends to evaluate a broad range of controlled access systems, including IFQ, for the commercial reef fish fishery. Development and implementation of a comprehensive controlled access system is expected to extend past the period of the current moratorium. Without the benefit of a moratorium, open access in the reef fish fishery is bound to increase fishing effort and complicate allocation of fishing privileges, thereby creating an unstable fishery environment.

NMFS will consider comments received by February 15, 2000, whether specifically directed to the amendment or the proposed rule, in its decision to approve, disapprove, or partially approve the amendment. NMFS will not consider comments received after that date in this decision. NMFS will address all comments on the amendment or the proposed rule received during their respective comment periods in the final rule.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

Dated: December 13, 1999. Gary C. Matlock, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 99-32780Filed12-16-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-22-F